Distinguished Speakers

April 24, 2014

By Matt Hawkins

Bradley’s storied speech team claimed second-place finishes at the National Forensic Association and American Forensic Association championships in April. The young team finished behind Western Kentucky at both events and had one national champion.

Bradley scored 438 points at the April 4-7 American Forensic Association championship tournament in Tempe, Ariz., led by Morgan Green ‘14, who tied for the individual championship but took second on a tiebreaker.

In addition to Green’s top effort, Kaybee Brown ’14 finished sixth in the individual competition.

“We’ve established a tradition of excellence that puts us in a pretty good place to maintain,” said Forensics Director Ken Young ‘05. “It’s a challenge to stay on top.”

Bradley finished with 509 points at the April 17-21 NFA tournament in Ypsilanti, Mich., which was bested by Western Kentucky’s 845 points. The University of Texas-Austin finished third with 337 points.

This year’s squad boasted 18 first-time competitors on a roster of 26. Because of the team’s trophy-laden history, newcomers are hungry to return the top next year.

Bradley has won 41 team championships, with 22 at the AFA contest since 1980, including a sweep of the AFA and NFA championships in 2013. Students have also won 154 individual championships.

“No one expected us to do as well as we did because we have a young team,” said transfer Adam Rayzor ’15. “I’m excited for next year and to see the success our team is going to have in the years to come.”

“It’s exhilarating,” he said. “It forces you to realize you always have to push harder, raise the bar for yourself and be more diligent to maintain success.”

Young credited his squad for meeting the demands of a competition schedule that is evolving to resemble a college athletics program with heavy travel and practice demands added to students’ academic load.

“There is a high demand on students to be traveling so extensively to bring recognition to the University and return home to face demands of other students,” he said. “It takes a huge toll, but these students are fierce competitors who come home to the obligations and take them in stride.”